Owen Sound Jr. Attack Major Bantams wanted to show the hometown crowd they are ready to start playing hockey!
First capturing the Owen Sound Early Bird Tournament title, then this past weekend starting the regular season with wins both Saturday and Sunday!
Early Bird Tournament Weekend in Owen Sound (Sept.7-9)
The Kunkel Bus Line Bantams started the tournament by dominating their opponent from Stoney Creek in every category. The visitors simply couldn't keep up to the quick skating Owen Sound Jr. Attack squad. Some significant credit goes to the opposition goalie who stood on his head at times repeatedly robbing the Attack, but not to be out down by Jamie Nichol who made key saves when he had to in order to preserve a 3-0 shutout.
Game two, the same day, saw Owen Sound matched up against the Clarington Toros. A tougher opponent that gave Owen Sound more to chew on with some speed and physical play. The Bears found their groove in the second half of the first frame, scoring two goals just over a minute apart. They went to work early in the second adding two more before the period was even 2.5 minutes deep. With a 4-0 lead, the attack added another pair of markers with about 4 minutes left to play. Clarington managed to tickle the twine with a nice PP tip in the third frame to spoil the shutout, but not the "W" with a 6-1 final score.
Next up Saturday morning was Bradford, the boys in red were ready and jumped out to a two goal lead, followed by three in the second, and just for good measure one more in the third for a final score of 6-0.
With one more win in the fourth and final game of the round robin, the Attack could secure the top spot moving into the elimination round. That is exactly what they did against a spirited bunch from Grimsby, posting their third shutout victory of the tournament with a convincing win two goals to none.
The Championship Final was set, and the Clarington Toros were gaining momentum and getting better with each game. They came out fast, physical, and hungry for the rematch versus Owen Sound in the gold medal game. And, it was Clarington who would strike first, but we would see four different lead changes in this exciting back and forth final.
Things were looking good as Owen Sound carried a 5-4 lead with time winding down inside the final minute.
Clarington pulled the goalie, managed to win a big face-off in the attacking zone, and with some nice pressure were able to tie the game with just seconds remaining.
The tie in regulation, meant 4 on 4 sudden death overtime for just 5 minutes, and if still tied, 3 on 3 for five, then a shootout. Everyone was on the edge of their seat, until Curtis Arnold took a dangerous looking hit along the boards, then took matters into his own hands. It was fitting that #18, Arnold, scored the game winner and secured the tournament with less then a minute to go in the first overtime segment.
SATURDAY SEPT. 16th & SUNDAY SEPT. 17th
With momentum and confidence, the Kunkel Bus Line Major Bantams were ready to start the season and send a message that they are here to compete and contend.
Saturday saw the OSMHG Major Bantams host a serious competitor from Hespler, as they hit the ice at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre to battle the Shamrocks.
It was just over a minute in, and Jacob Duncan managed to hit the roof with a quick short side backhand and jumpstart the gang to an early 1-0 lead. It didn't last long however, just two minutes later Hespler took advantage of a D zone turnover, and fired a quick shot in tight that found the back of the net via five hole.
Just one minute later, they caught the goaltender off guard and snuck one far side to jump out to an early lead of their own gaining a 2-1 advantage. Right around the middle mark of the game, Jacob Duncan hit Spencer Davidson with a nice pass from the far boards, and #14 Davidson made short work with a low one timer to knot the game at 2.
The rest of the second period, and much of the third saw two good skating physical teams battle it out at both ends of the rink. Finally, Cole Gowan raced up the right wing, fought through several Shamrock attempts to hit him and/or the puck. With a nice heads up play, Gowan found Tyson Morrison wide open in the slot who converted with a quick shot and the go ahead goal. The Attack held off the Shamrocks for another 8 and a half, to earn two points in their first regular season game of the 2018/19 campaign.
In the summer weather on Sunday, the team travelled to Brampton in search of their first road win of the year.
It might have taken a while to shake off the car legs, but once the Attack got rolling there was no stopping them. Handing Brampton a 6-1 loss, once again put the Kunkel Bus Lines Major Bantams in the win column.
This major bantam bus appears to have no cruise control, no brakes, just a radio with the volume stuck on 10 and a heavy gas pedal.
Next Action is Saturday (sept.22) at 5:45pm in Georgetown vs Halton Hills
Followed by the visiting Ancaster Avalanche at the Rec Centre Sunday for an afternoon tilt at 2:15